Ross Gregory

Newcastle United have sensationally been linked with a move to bring former midfielder Mehdi Abeid back to St James’s Park.

The Magpies sold the midfielder for £500,000 to Panthinakos a year ago, after feeling the player hadn’t made the most of his opportunities on Tyneside.

However, reports in Portugal have credited Newcastle with an interest in buying the 23-year-old back this summer, stating that Porto are also keen on Abeid.

It would be a major surprise if Newcastle were looking to re-sign Abeid, with Rafa Benitez’s focus elsewhere.

In particular, a striker and a centre-half are high on his list of targets. Newcastle are monitoring Steven Caulker’s situation, while they have also been linked with Middlesbrough defender Daniel Ayala, though the latter is understood to be a no-go.

In attack, a number of strikers have been linked with the club, but Alan Shearer would like to see Adam Armstrong given a chance next season.

The club’s all-time leading goalscorer rates Armstrong highly, and has recommended Benitez give him an opportunity after his successful loan spell at Coventry.